Shloka 24
Chapter 23: Śakuni Reports, Kaurava Advance, and Arjuna’s Penetration of the Host
अश्रूणि मुमुचुर्नागा वेपथुं चास्पृशन् भृशम् । चारों ओर नीचे बालू और कंकड़ बरसानेवाली हवाएँ चलने लगीं। हाथी आँसू बहाने और थर-थर काँपने लगे || २३ ह || एतान् घोराननादृत्य समुत्पातान् सुदारुणान्,इन घोर एवं दारुण उत्पातोंकी अवहेलना करके क्षत्रियवीर मनमें व्यथासे रहित हो पुनः युद्धके लिये तैयार हो गये और स्वर्गमें जानेकी अभिलाषा ले रमणीय एवं पुण्यमय कुरक्षेत्रमें उत्साहपूर्वक डट गये
sañjaya uvāca | aśrūṇi mumucur nāgā vepathuṃ cāspṛśan bhṛśam | etān ghorān anādṛtya samutpātān sudāruṇān |
Sañjaya said: The elephants shed tears and were seized by violent trembling. Yet, disregarding these dreadful and most ominous portents, the warrior-kṣatriyas—free from inner wavering—again readied themselves for battle, longing for heaven, and stood with ardor on the fair and meritorious field of Kurukṣetra.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical strain of war: even when nature and animals signal catastrophe through ominous portents, warriors driven by kṣatriya ideals and the desire for heavenly reward may suppress fear and proceed. It invites reflection on whether steadfastness is true dharma or a tragic hardening of conscience.
Sañjaya reports ominous signs on the battlefield—elephants crying and trembling—yet the warriors ignore these prodigies and prepare again for combat on Kurukṣetra, energized by the hope of attaining heaven through a heroic death.